What a mess. Texas will end up with the short end of the stick on this one. They might win a few battles here in the local courts but once this gets to the appeals courts and upward they are in trouble.

Sorry for yall living in TX. The incompetence of a few is going to cost the state millions.

Well Shazam! Shazam! What next pray tell? TEXAS CPS,
may I suggest that you cut to the chase, and GULP!
admit that YOU WERE WRONG! Return the children now,
and you might save some semblance of dignity.
However I expect you and your TEXAS TERRORIST'S, the
Sheriff's office and Courts, to be all that you can be, and that is a bunch of Fascists!

The case is coming apart; no evidence! no proof!
no nothing! I hope those who were so sure of abuse learn something about "jumping to conclusions."
As I said before; Texas; hold a news conference; show us the "offenders" show us "Sarah"...what's that, you can't? Too many "Adults?" Spritual Marriages...just that? Liars locking up "prophets;" I can't wait for the next installment of this travesty; will "judge" walters keep her chicken ranch? Will Texas try to land grab the YFZ Ranch?
This is better than "Dallas" used to be!

Sad when mother's are "pushed into signing" papers in order to get their children back. The suffering of these innocent children is one of the biggest atrocities to have happened on American soil!!! I pray it will be soon over for them and that they can return to their loving mothers. How long will the American people sit by and watch this continue? Until everyones rights are gobbled up in the frenzy of the political power userpers? SHAME ON TEXAS!! SHAME ON GEORGE BUSH WHO CANNOT EVEN STOOP TO HEAR THE CRIES OF THE INNOCENT CHILDREN!! When the storm troopers first went in, there might have been a question, then they went to far and now they are making these children and their parents suffer for no reason but to cover their political back sides.

They are trying to dig themselves out of a hole, and this may be the case that puts "protective services" out of the violating-rights business.

I'll bet they're crying in their beer, wishing that they had never started this.

no place as big as Texas....no mess as big as Texas....no fools as big as a Texas fool....yep you got 'em.

While disapproving of polygamous marriages, the conduct of the State of Texas in this matter is beyond acceptability. The State of Texas is using the "rule of law" and the court system in a manner similar to a dictatorship or some mediaval authoritarian ruler with serious mental problems. Our Founding Fathers would not approve of the actions of the State of Taxas. Bring on Jury Nullification at the very least and let those people be. To each his own and Robert Frost wrote in wise manner, "good fences good neighbors make". Child Protective Services in Taxas are truly bored and mindless people caught up in a bureaucratic craze. .

Ester Barlow is on the "fast track" to having her children returned because she is willing to move away from the ranch. CPS/Texas wants all of those families to denounce their religion and disassociate themselves from it--at least that is what it is starting to look like.

While I don't agree w/ their beliefs, they are entitled to have them. They are entitled to their constitutional rights, even in Texas.

The Branch Davidians, FLDS, who is next?? We should all watch our backs.

You can tell how old they are by cutting off their finger and counting the rings. Duh!

Their FLDS beliefs are abusive to children. The FLDS people need to be STOPPED! NO MORE CHILD MARRIAGES! NO MORE MIND CONTROL! NO MORE BRAINWASHING! LIVE AND LET LIVE! LET THE CHILDREN LIVE THEIR OWN LIVES AND CHOOSE THEIR OWN SPOUSES!

Justice is Justice, if Judge walters steps down and another judge takes this, I would feel that it is far, The Facts won’t change. Is she scared that another judge would give a different ruling? (Does she have a personal agenda?) Facts are Facts it shouldn’t matter to her. As an American an scared as hell of where this is going.

CPS in Texas reminds me of someone else from Texas who was a little over eager to take over Iraq.

What is is about Texans? They think they can clean up the world and in the end they end up with a big mess. This will cost the state millions and millions.

Don't the FLDS have birth certificates? That sure would have cleared up much of the confusion. I still maintain that the FLDS had the responsibility to disclose (through documentation) the age of the people involved. Things would have gone so much smoother if they had loosened their code of silence. Texas is simply trying to figure out what to do without the facts (which would have been so easy for the FLDS to disclose). The fact that they (FLDS) have been so secretative speaks volumes.

Does everyone hear foot steps coming? Step by step, the plethora of accusations, number of "little girls" not being little girls, etc. is disintegrating and CPS (and their "advisors") will be shown for the liars that they are. One by one, their lies are being exposed, and their true colors and motives are being exposed.

For those that didn't believe, it will all be clear very shortly.

1) Why is moving to another house equal to denouncing religion. I've moved 5 times and never renounced my religion. The state wants to know that these children won't be living with child abusers.

2) I think it is great that things are getting sorted out. In some cases the FLDS were correct - but in others the state was correct. The article mentioned one girl that was impregnated at 15. They didn't mention who her "husband" is. He is probably in hiding. That is the problem with letting yourself become the "honey" to another womans husband. You have no rights. Shame on those men for putting so many young girls in this position. At least the state of Texas is trying to put an end to this practice - they have taken on a big job, and they havn't done it perfectly, but at least they tried.

3) I hope that these Women will learn that they have to take care of themselves and their children. Their leaders and "men" will run and hide instead of protect them. They need to stand up and start acting like REAL mothers and women - not cowering servants.

While the CPS case may be falling apart, I hope you and the other FLDS reading and posting here have taken notice that only you find your actions acceptable. No one else in America finds your cult-like actions reasonable. So rather than get all excited that maybe you will get the kids back next year, why don't you figure out how to reasonably co-exist with everyone? And figure out how to worship without forsaking your family? Because the ONLY reason you even care about your family is because you have some weird idea that it will get you into a higher level of heaven and you will rule over others. Just the fact that you all consider someone to be Jesus on earth, and then they die so now you think the son is Jesus on earth... yeah - right - it gets handed down just like Ceasar.

So your whole "religion" is about power, and you will use anyone and everyone to accomplish your goals. In case you didn't know, preying on innocent women and children, and stealing their futures, really isn't the best way to get on the good side of the all-powerful.

Did they lose a baby, or did they make up a file. Either way this court and the CPS case workers are making for an interesting circus act for the whole world to see. They are denying many innocent people their rights by clumping them all together like this that started whole-heartedly as a bonafide concentration camp.

Get the perps. Leave the innocent ones alone.

"Why is moving to another house equal to denouncing religion. I've moved 5 times and never renounced my religion. The state wants to know that these children won't be living with child abusers."

Have you been FORCED to move because the government told you to in order to keep your kids? The FLDS women appeared to live in SAFE and CLEAN homes on the ranch. The only reason CPS wants them to move is because it is a RELIGIOUS community. CPS has yet to demonstrate any abuse in the many homes on the ranch.

1.Moving to another house is equal to denouncing the religion when it is away from normal ability to practice.
2. Are you willing to have your children removed by CPS if there is a pregnant teen in your subdivision? Why is there not the Widespread Abuse that CPS claimed and the very reason ALL children were removed? That is the problem, especially since even the FLDS claimed that there may indeed have been some young pregnancies but that it is OUTSIDE the norm...as seems to be the case based on real numbers.
Where are the "so many young girls? It seems most minors are being reclassified as adults now that the courts are validating drivers licenses and birth certificates which CPS refused initially because they could.
3. The women are taking care of themselves as they have for many years...well until CPS decided the kids were the wrong religion and read the wrong book including the Book of Mormon. The men left because it is not heroic to jump in front of a truck for no apparent reason. They ARE real mothers and women as they raise their children in beliefs they hold precious, even if you don't.

Agnostic

they did produce bith certs. "Judge" Walther said that she would not accept them, as she felt they were forged. Meanwhile, they have been getting certified copies from their respective birth states and this is exactly HOW they are proving one by one, they are indeed adults.

All religions are abusive and most are particularly abusive to women. Does that give CPS the right to remove ALL children from all practicing religionists? I am agnostic and most find my belief abusive and damnable. Should my children be removed since I refuse to raise my children in the cultural norm? That is what these hundreds of cases are about. They are a persecuted minority with all being attacked for the few that are guilty of criminal acts.

Even if a 15 year old did get pregnant, legally it must be proven the crime took place in TX. The state must also prove that keeping the family united was attempted and that removal was the last resort in EVERY case. We all know how that will turn out since each family was acted upon as group over individual rights. Then ask why ALL pregnant 15 year olds do not have the same course of action. Heck, Karl Malone got a 12 year old pregnant and never so much as missed a game because of criminal action.

most religions are about power that does not give the government the right to remove the children who beleive in those religions.
I do no believe in the FLDS religion and I am sure from time to time like all religions they may abuse their powers but I still think the parents should be able to raise their children the way they see fit.
should we go after the parents who do not believe in god next.
wake up if the cps does not like the way you are bringing up your children you could be next.
will the cps go after parents that gay marriage is OK be next.

I disagree. You don't understand. You only see what kind of a person you are. FLDS does not nor ever will condoned any immorality of any kind.

Birth Certificates: According to reports on this site were presented and rejected as false by Texas. The FLDS then called on Utah to intervene since Utah'n legal documents are being rejected by Texas.

The FLDS hairdos are most definitely a result of forced hair abuse.

to - To to Johnathan 6:01pm

the gov't didn't remove the children because they believed in a religion - they took the kids because they were trapped in a compound being mind-controlled. If these people would have lived in a neighborhood (even if they owned the whole thing) they would probably have been ok. At least they would have had many addresses and only kids from one house would have been taken.

Slowly but surely the world is discovering what abusive monsters CPS is. If there is any justice, it is CPS, NOT FLDS, that should standing trial.

The agony and suffering they have caused with their bloodthirsty, sadistic, perverted acts, is inexcusable.

Abolish CPS, now!

Right on Cosmo! Texas Governor Rick Perry needs to hear from all of us about CPS and the courts flagrant abuse of the US Bill of Rights. Do the right thing, Governor Perry and return the FLDS Children now.
This case isn't about Polygamy or abuse or fraud,
it's about destroying freedom by forcing compliance to governmental agency dictates in violation of the US Bill of Rights. This whole convoluted mess reeks of Fascism. The state of Texas has kidnapped over 450 children with a phoned in complaint by an anonymous caller, proven false. No face saving direction to turn, they blackmail FLDS parents to sign an admission of guilt, placing them on parole and submit themselves to CPS authority until their children are 18 with the threat of taking the child away anytime they deem appropriate- or have the child taken away now. Where is the justice in this? Since when does the state of Texas know more about nurturing than a child’s natural mother? We are innocent unless the state can bring real evidence and charges against us, period! Don’t sign those CPS documents FLDS mothers, you will be sorry!

The problem is probably that the Texas Authorities have never before seen an adult woman that wasn't layered in makeup. So they assume that these women with no wrinkles and no makeup are minors. Says a lot more negative about mainstream Texas society than it does about the FLDS. Maybe if most Texans wouldn't doll up their minors like street walkers they'd be able to tell right from wrong too.

The government did remove the children because they believed in a religion as can be verified by the removal of the Book of Mormon and other texts. When the judge demanded an explanation, the only comment made by CPS was "I have no objection to the BOM being returned to them" without explanation and without penalty for the removal action. That is reality, just check it. They were not being "brainwashed" since it was their upbringing. What your mother taught you would then qualify as brainwashing. While you call it a compound, the records reflect seeming apartment complexes. Reality would suggest a warrant for EACH apartment NOT THE ENTIRE COMPLEX.

Now ask yourself why TX authorities can still not admit to a fraudulent phone call when even I have caller I.D. Are you telling me authorities don't have access to such modern devices?
It's about the religion with an attempt to extort money for children...that's why the investigation isn't about the children but the finances of the FLDS church. A reality check would suggest checking of facts.

It's mentioned here several times about the address.
True, it's one street address, BUT this is an apartment/housing complex according to the courts own records. you can view those records on the Eldorado's newspaper site.
(county building permits) in case some don't get the picture.
Some, no most people will believe anything someone in authority says without question.
Don't be stupid!! do the research for yourself. It's all out there for all to see.
Someone once told me "You can always tell a Texan"
(but you can't tell him much)

The FLDS doesnt need to head to the appellate court if they want justice. They need to head to Federal court. Due Process of law does not exist in a Federal court.

Hey!! There is a big bucks GATED and walled housing development right down the road from my townhouse.
My Realtor tells me those houses sell for not less than a million bucks a throw.
BUT they have a big brick wall an electronic gate and a guard shack. They MUST be doing something in there!! They have all these big fancy cars and I never see any kids playing ,they must be locked up.. I need to make a call!!
It worked in Texas, why not here in Virginia?

-Were the actions of the Texas officials unimaginable? Of course!
-Should the FLDS folks be allowed to practise their religion (as long as they aren't breaking laws or abusing anyone)? Absolutley!
-Should the FLDS children be allowed to return to their mothers? Well apparently yes!
-Has there been damge done to the families caused by the state? Appears so!
-Should all CPS be banned? No way! But I think they need some checks and balances. There were probably more legitimte cases the CPS could have spent their time and dollars on. Like children of drug addicts and alcohilics. Meth is still a huge problem for Texas.

it wouldn't work there because each property has its own street address, just like the YFZ ranch is one street address.

what don't you get?

Not so, The Gated place has a central mail depository even the post office can't get in. The properties are identified by name not number. The place actually has only one actual street address same as any Private Gated Community. Check it out with your Realtor.Or better yet check a few trailer parks. No street in the development belongs to the city so there are no numbers except what ever the developer called the places.
See the piece by Earl above on the apartment complex. Most apartment houses have only one street address.

Instead of parenting classes the FLDS members need a good civics lesson. It is your duty as a good citizen to vote. Judge Walters is coming up for election soon. I have nothing to do with the FLDS, but if I were one of their leaders I think I would have a God given vision instructing all members to register to vote and to take an interest in local politics. After all one the problems seems to be the seclusion the members where subjected to. What better way to break that seclusion than a little politicking. Defeating the Judge and Sheriff in the next election would probably be faster than an appeal.

I think the "harm" done to so many little children by the State is quickly becomeing the primary issue. I would love to see the FLDS get back to allowing "free agency" and not allow marriages of girls younger than 18, however, people do have their rights.

In trying to prove the age of some of these young mothers, does anyone know how long about Texas changed their law regarding the minimum age allowed to get married? I believe it was only 14 years old 2-3years ago. If a FLDS girl was married at 14 at that time, and then had a child would the State have any say in it?

I am sure some of these girls / mothers would fit in this catagory.

they were removed from the ranch be cause of religion---and what makes it a compound the fence is barb wire anyone can climb over?Is it because religion is a part of the mix?

I have read in todays Wall Street Journal about two men being sworn in as officers in the US Army. They were sworn in to uphold the constitution. I don't know if they will be allowed to do that in Texas.

This blatant violation of civil rights in the service of an agenda fueled by bigotry makes me ashamed of being a Texan and afraid for my own family. If there is evidence of a crime, prosecute the criminals and punish them.

The more I hear about how Texas is dealing with the FLDS... I am outraged! The comments I am hearing and the actual unconstitutional methods are haunting. WE ARE IN AMERICA weather we like it or not we have due process, and we are innocent until PROVEN guilty. I will never vacation in Texas or have anything to do with that state until I see it is still an active part of the USA. God Bless America!

To= Outraged--
perhaps you should take a vacation to the middle east for fun.

God Bless Texas!! 17 and pregnant with a 1yr. old child already is sickening. I am with Flora they should prosecute the women along with the men. I hope most of them young girls dont desire to go back once they see how good the outside world really is. I really do feel for that 17yr. old little girl her childhood is lost forever.

WOW... the FLDS are going for the jugular...with no seeming remorse for their behaviour which prompted authorities to take action.

Texas authorities didn't wait to take action until every nuiance of the FLDS live style was understood and discussed in numerous bureaucratic meetings. Nor did they wait to see if the alleged telephone report of abuse at the compound was true. If they had done either one of these they would still be waiting to go in for the children.

They acted as they thought children were at risk.

The FLDS are somewhat to blame for their problems. They lied, failed to provide adequate evidence, encouraged each other and their children to give misleading information.

Could their leadership and attorneys have contributed to the mess. Of course!

Could the pot be calling the kettle black? Yes.

I still cant believe the people still cheering Texas. Can't you see the accusations are all lies? I bet that forced mariages and child rape a disgusting to them to. That is why there was none at the ranch. CPS claims they still belive there is but if they havent found it by now...it just isnt there. If a girl is married there at age 14, i am shure she askd to be married. If it is against the law, im shure it wasnt against the law when it happened.

This is will not end happily for gungho child grabbers. CPS has only so far proven that they abuse the FDLS children. Even though the court cases have begun, CPS has shown nothing in terms proof of abuse. CPS needs to give the children back now and never again try to take children who are obviously not abused.

Silver fox is right, if they had been forthcoming about familial relationships this could have gone much faster. What I want to know is how many of these spiritually married young women are collecting welfare checks as single mothers...... like the folks living in other compounds have been. Its easy to see how you can end up with a ton of money if 3 of your "wives" receive gov. checks every month but don't spend any of it on food, clothes or make up!

As a kid I was taught: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

No matter how difficult the challenge, etc. The FLDS folks believe the same and their history claims they were given authority through John Taylor (and they show documented evidence as well as verified testimony).

For those who think they will suddenly see the light and change you are being a fool. And when polygamy is legal and they get the windfall of Texas compensation they may be proved right as they are rewarded for holding too the faith, unlike their LDS siblings.

Re: Little Kitty small brain, Texas CPS would not accept any documentation for proof of relationship. No one at the compound was on the welfare rolls!!!